A roundup of great masterpieces and popular songs of Brazilian music
If your knowledge of Brazilian music is limited to stylish, relaxing bossa nova you hear at cafés or the samba played during Carnival, this article is a must-read! Brazil is a vast, multiethnic country with a wide range of musical styles—so many, in fact, that when you include subgenres, the variety is astonishing.
In this piece, we’ve researched and compiled a selection focused on classic Brazilian standards and historically significant masterpieces.
Give these tracks a listen, and your image of Brazilian music might just change!
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Great masterpieces and popular songs of Brazilian music (71–80)
Maria MariaMilton Nascimento
This song, which seems to sing of the archetypal strong yet supple Brazilian woman, is one of Milton Nascimento’s signature pieces, notable for his wide vocal range and rich, weighty voice.
It’s a track that fills you with energy just by listening, as if strength wells up inside you.
Raça NegraOlodum
One reason Salvador has such a distinct culture within Brazil is precisely because many of its people are descendants of those with roots in Africa.
Taking pride in these roots, Olodum’s performances—sung with powerful vigor—have a blood-stirring intensity.
Bat MacumbaOs Mutantes
A classic of funky Brazilian psychedelia and a quintessential work of the Tropicália movement of its time.
A song that brilliantly fuses psychedelic rock with traditional Brazilian music.
It appears on their debut album released in 1968.
Bugio NovoOs Serranos
Os Serranos represent the music of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil’s southernmost state, whose people are known as Gaúchos.
The region has many European immigrants, and the recently popular gaucho pants originate from the wide trousers favored by these cattle herders.
Their music is characterized by a cheerful accordion.
Pra Que Discutir com MadameTeresa Cristina e Grupo Semente
This is a song performed by the group Teresa Cristina e Grupo Semente.
The fact that João Gilberto and other samba and bossa nova artists have covered it proves that it is one of the quintessential masterpieces representing samba.
E VoceTribalistas
Tribalistas, who released only one album and were active for just a single year.
It’s a curious group that arose organically when Marisa Monte contributed to an Arnaldo Antunes album produced in part by Carlinhos Brown.
Since it’s a gathering of three individually talented artists, it makes for a compelling listen.
IzauraJoão Gilberto
Sung by João Gilberto, one of the pioneers of bossa nova, this song has rather unique lyrics.
“I’ve got work tomorrow, so I can’t stay over tonight.
Because if I’m in your arms…”—it makes you curious to hear how the rest goes.
Known for his unhurried style—he would sometimes pause so long on stage people wondered if he’d fallen asleep—he remains just as beloved today as ever.